Umbrella rib tip



R. H. MORTONv UMBRELLA RIB TIP Feb, 17, 1948.

Filed lay 8, 1946 Patented Folgt/17,1948

UNITED srA'rEs PATENT ori-1a low the head. The cover oli the umbrella is initially secured to the tip. and after the thread is stitched through the thread-receiving opening, the tips are applied to the tops or outer ends of' the ribs. In the operation of applying the tips to the ribs, the fabric is stretched sufciently to permit the sockets of the tips to be slipped over the ribs, and each of the sockets has a length that, upon contraction oi' the fabric, will be held tight on the rib. The slight elasticity or stretch of the fabric is thus relied upon to retain the tips and 'umbrella cover attachedthereto in connection with the outer ends of the ribs, particularly'when the umbrella is in folded condition. Obviously, ii the fabric is, in folded condition, again stretched beyond a predetermined degree, the tipwill slide oil the mounting portion .of the rib. On the other hand, the tip is always tightened when 'the umbrella is in extended position.

It will be obvious from the above that the length oi' the socket-containing skirt portions must be definitely limited to a length which is not greater than the dierence between the ends of the fabric wings in their normal and stretched conditions respectively, and this skirt portion is usually about one-quarter ci an inch.

One' of the obiects of this invention is to provide a construction in which the tip of the type described will be retained in iirmly mounted position at all times `on the top of the rib irrespective of the stretch of the fabric, and the aforesaid limitation of the length of the rib-engaging skirt and socket is negatived.

Another object of this invention is t provide s construction by which the length of the rib-engaging socketed skirt may be increased to any desirable degree, and preferably to a degree much greater than any possible stretch of the cloth.

Another object of my invention is in a device ot the character specified to provide, in combination with a tip having an initially socketed skirt portion, oi an extension socket member by which the length of the rib-engaging socketed skirt l'will be much greater than any possible stretch of the fabric. and consequently the tip will be ll-tendingoutwardly for contact therewith. 'The tip.

. VWith these and other objects in view, the invention vcomprises the combination. of members and arrangement of parts so combined as to coact and cooperate with each other in the per formance of the functions and the'ac'compiishment of the results herein contemplated. and comprises in one of its adaptations the species or preferred form illustrated in the drawings. in which:

Fim-1 is a. view in perspective of an embodying the features o1' my invention;

Fis. 2 is a' sectional view of my' tip and extension socket rnember in separated relationship;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing my tip and cover connected and my extension s ocket member initially applied to and mounted bathe-rib; s

Figi is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the rib and-extension socket member fastened together:l l

Fig. 5 isa view Partly in section and partly in elevation of a modified form of connection bei tween the tip and extension socket member; and Figs. and 'l are sectional views, partly in elevation of still another modified form 'of connection between my tip and Vextension socket member.

Referring now to these drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodimentof my invention, i indicates a conventional umbrella cover with conventional fabric wing sections i* and 2 indicates a conventional traine which includes the usual stick t and tubular slide t, the radiating braces E and the ribs t which are usually composed of metal. In certain types oi' umbrella. each oi' the ribs is provided with a separate tip, and my in vention relates to umbrella tips of this separable type. In accordance with my invention, each of the tips is oftwo-part construction-and comprises a. primaiytip, member 1 composed of an orna- -mental tip portion or head1, a skirt or. rod- 1 is adapted to receive the reduced cylindrical end sections 8* ofthe rib I. each rib, according to the usual practice. being of channel conformation (except a rounded or cylindrical section I at the outer end) and having the open edges oi' the channel presented inwardly and the arched enl'i of the channel contacting the fabric i and exaccompanying umbrella I is in the usual practice connected with the said fabric i throush the transverse aperture 'i4'.

In conventional practice, the tip is sewn to the wine sections of the fabric and the fabric is stretched at least the iensth of the rib-engaging skirt portion to permit insertion of the end t of the rib t in the socket of the said skirt portion of the tipi In accordance with my invention, an extension skirt member o having an extension socket is initially mounted on the rib S before the appiica tion or insertion of the cylindrical end portion t into the socket 1. and after such insertion, the

extension socket member S is moved upwardly and slipped over the outer surface of the tip member l and securely fastened thereto or interlocked therewith. Obviously, a primary tip member of substantially conventional conformation may be employed and the conventional procedure of sewing the primary tip member may be foi'- lowed, but. if desired, the skirt portion of the primary tip member may be reduced in length or substantially eliminated. though it is desirable to provide on the primary tip member a, skirt portion to enable initial mounting thereof on the rib.

Many types of connection may be employed for fastening the extension skirt-member to the primary tip member, and in Figs. 2. 3 and 4 I have shown a screw-threaded connection with a short external screw-thread on the outer surface of the tip member 14 and an internal screw-thread t in the socket of the extension skirt-member 8.

'In Fig. 5 I have shown av modied form of my invention in which the tip member and the extension socket member are connected together by a driving ilt. the external and internal connecting surfaces preferably being slightly tapered. As both members are preferably formed of plastic material. a. suitable glue may be provided to fasten or lock the two parte permanently in position.

In Figs. 8 and '7 I have shown another modifled form in which an extension socket member This construction may be considered my preferred commotion as it has an advantage in that the rib t 'will engage and rest on the ribshoulder 6b when initially applied to the rib and will thus maintain e, ilxed position on the rib till fastened to the primary member.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A tip-for umbrellas comprising, in combination. a primary tip member composed of an upper portion having a head. a lower shirt portion oi' substantially cylindrical conformation having an axial socket and an intermediate portion having a transverse thread-receiving opening. and an extension skirt member provided with a socket continuous with the socket of said primary tip member, and interensaging connection means on said skirt portion of the primary tip member and on the extension-skirt member for fasten ing the two members toxether.

2. A tip for umbrellas comprising. in combination, a primary tip member composed oi an upper portion having a head. a lower skirt portion oi substantially cylindrical conformation having an axial socket and an intermediate portion having a transverse thread-receiving opening, and an entension skirt member provided with a socket continuous with the socket of said primary tip mems ber, and interengaging connection means on said skirt portion of the primary tip member and on the extension-skirt member for fastening the two members together comprising a, groove in one of said members and a snap in-rib on the other member.

3. A tip for umbrellas comprising, in combination, a primary tip member composed of an upper portion having a head. a lower skirt portion of substantially cylindrical conformation having an axial socket and an intermediate portion having a transverse thread-receivinaopening, and an extension skirt member provided with a socket continuous with the socket of said primary tip member, and interengaging connection means on said skirt portion of the primary tip member and on the extension-skirt member for fastening the two members together comprising an external groove on the skirt portion of the primary tip member and an internal rib on the extension skirt member.

ROSE H. NORTON. 

